Chief of Staff

Company: HSB
Location: Manchester, United Kingdom

Role: Chief of Staff

Company: HSB Engineering Insurance Ltd

Reporting to: Chief Executive Officer, HSB UK&I Group

Location: Manchester

Permanent

Job Purpose:

As the Chief of Staff, you will serve as a strategic partner and advisor to the CEO, playing a critical role in facilitating effective decision making, managing allocated projects, and ensuring the smooth operations of the Executive Office and Executive Leadership Team. This role requires a high level of confidentiality, exceptional communication skills, and the ability to navigate complex/matrix environments and multiple stakeholders.

The ideal candidate will have a deep understanding of the insurance industry, strong leadership abilities, and a proven track record of supporting C-Level executives.

This role serves as the eyes and ears for the CEO, connecting teams, projects, and critical business information for the CEO, ensuring meetings and materials are efficient and effective and serves as a trusted partner to deliver against business priorities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the CEO to drive strategic initiatives, manage priorities, and ensure alignment across the executive team.
• Coordinate the development of HSB’s short and long term business strategies, working with the CEO to brainstorm and establish strategic direction. Assist HSB’s Executive Leadership Team in both the monitoring and execution of the strategic plan.
• Lead and coordinate key projects from inception to completion, ensuring deadlines are met and objectives are achieved.
• Work closely with the Company Secretarial function to ensure the effective operation of Board Meetings, by coordinating the preparation of board materials, presentations, and reports, and attend board meetings as required. Schedule board and committee meetings to ensure sufficient flow and coordination between events.
• Prepare agendas, materials, and briefings for executive and board meetings, track action items and ensure timely follow up.
• Act as a primary point of contact between the CEO and internal/external stakeholders, ensuring clear and effective communication.
• Identify and address operational challenges, streamlining processes to enhance efficiency and productivity within the Executive Office.
• Conduct relevant research and review into subjects as requested, presenting accurate findings/recommendations on completion.
• Handle sensitive information with the utmost discretion and maintain confidentiality at all times.
• Assist the CEO in the development of presentations and papers for internal and external audiences.
• Support the CEO in managing crises and unforeseen challenges, ensuring appropriate responses and communications.
• Take on additional responsibilities as needed to support the CEO and the company’s strategic goals.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Experience in a senior management role would be ideal, with previous experience supporting C-Level executives. Prior experience in the insurance or financial services sector is highly desirable.

Skills:

• Strong strategic thinking and problem solving skills.
• Strong numerical and analytical skills, with understanding of financial results and P&Ls.
• Excellent project management and organizational skills.
• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills.
• Able to prepare quality PowerPoint presentations and reports that concisely summarise the topics, key information and decisions/recommendations.
• Proven ability to manage complex and confidential information.
• High level of emotional intelligence and interpersonal skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and familiarity with Project Management tools.

Key Competencies:

• Proactive, with a strong sense of initiative and the ability to anticipate needs.
• High level of integrity and ethical judgement.
• Ability to work under pressure and manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• A team player with a collaborative mindset.

At HSB Group (including Premier Guarantee), Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion foster innovation and resilience and enable us to act braver and better. Embracing the power of DEI is at the core of who we are. We recognise diversity can be multi-dimensional, intersectional, and complex, so we want to build a diverse workforce that includes a wide range of racial, ethnic, sexual, and gender identities; economic and geographic backgrounds; physical abilities; ages; life, school, and career experiences; and political, religious, and personal beliefs. Additionally, we are committed to building an equitable and inclusive work environment where this diversity is celebrated, valued, and has equitable opportunities to succeed.

All candidates in consideration for any role can request a reasonable adjustment at any point in our recruitment process. You can request an adjustment by speaking to your Talent Acquisition contact.